Let’s see ... for $52 a podiatrist will clip your toenails. Or, for $25 you can get a professional salon pedicure, which usually includes polish and a relaxing foot massage. Faced with these two alternatives, it’s easy to see why a podiatrist’s customer would opt for the salon. It also explains why business is booming Nail Creations, a full-service nail salon in Odessa, Texas. Owner Katherian Harris estimates that the shop gets two referrals a week for pedicures from a local orthopedic shoe store. She also receives referrals from podiatrists who are simply too busy to perform such routine care. The referrals go both ways — Harris’ staff is trained to spot ailments that should be seen by a doctor, such as ingrown toenails, plantar warts, and athlete’s foot. Most clients are do with the salon’s service. “It’s the fool massages that keep them coining Harris readily acknowledges.

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